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J. V. R. TOWERS.

PIGTURB HANGER.

N9. 321,866. Patented July 7, 1885]` Wig-$3398 72,207

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

JOHN V. R. TOWERS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEMUEL TOWERS, .I R., OF SAME PLACE.

PICTURE-HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,866, dated July '7, 1885.

Application filed April 2, 1885.

To all whom. it m/ay concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN V. R. TowEEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picture-Hangers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain improvements in picture-hangers, and has for its object to produce a simple, strong, and effective device for attaching a cord to a picture-frame, mirror, or other similar article, in such a manner that the frame can be readily adj usted at any desired height without removing the cord from the supporting hook or nail, and without releasing either end of said cord.

It has for a further object to provide a retaining-hook for securing one end of the cord to the frame, so arranged that the cord can be quickly released and the frame removed without lifting the cord off the supportingnail or raising said frame.

The particular construction and arrange ment of the various parts of my invention I will now proceed to point out and describe, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a rear view of a picture-frame provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the windlass or reel on which the cord is wound. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are details.

Referring to said drawings, A is a pictureframe; B, a dat metal plate having its upper end projecting at right angles to the plate, and provided with the guiding-eye b. Said plate is secured to the frame by suitable screws.

C is a spindle passing through the plate B, and secured to the frame.

In the drawings the spindle is shown with a screw-thread and head, and is screwed into the frame. It may, however, be made with a sharp end and be driven into said frame.

D is a hollow windlass mounted on the spindle C, and provided with the outer head or iiange, d, and the ratchet-head d on its inner end. The windlass D and heads d and d may be all cast in one piece.

E is a weighted pawl, pivoted to the plate B, and, engaging with the ratchet-head, holds the windlass at the point of adjustment.

(No model.)

F is a metal plate, secured to the frame by suitable screws, and is provided with the lower flange, f, and upper flange, f, having the guiding-eyef2.

G is a screw-hook having the endg, and, passing through a suitable hole inthe plate F, is screwed into the frame.

H is the cord, the ends of which are passed through the guiding-eyes b and f2. One end of said cord is secured to the hook G, which is then turned down until the end g engages with the angef, and thus prevents the cord from slipping oi'f. The other end ofthe cord is attached to the windlass.

/Vhen it is desired to raise the picture without removing the cord from the supportinghook, it is done by simply turning the windlass, the ratchet-head and pawl holding said windlass and the pictureframe at the point of adjustment.

To lower the frame, release the pawl from the ratchet, and the weight of the picture will cause the cord to unwind.

When it is desired to take the picture down, turn the end g of the hook up to the position shown in dotted lines, and slip the cord off the same.

In Fig. 5 I show a modification of the. plate F and hook G. In this modification l: lprovide the plate with twov lugs, g', having eyes g, In these eyes I screw a bolt, g3, to which the cord is secured.

`Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a picture-hanger, the plate B, having the guiding-eye b and spindle C, in combination with the windlass D, mounted on the spindle C, aud provided with a pawl and ratchet, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

2. In a picture-hanger, the plate F, having the flange f and flange f', provided with the guiding-eye b2, in combination with the swivel-hook G, having the end g, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN V. R. TOWERS.

Witnesses:

E. S. BLAoKwooD, M. P. GALLEN. 

